Sportsman&#39;s blind



R. A. SMITH June 6, 1967 SPORTSMAN S BLIND 2 Sheets-Sheet l Filed Sept.27, 1965 /NVENTUR RA YMOND A. 5M! T H June 6; 1967 R. A. SMITH SPORTSMANS BLIND Filed Sept. 27, 1965 2 Sheets-Sheet United States Patent O3,323,530 SPORTSMANS BLIND Raymond Albert Smith, 219 NW. E St., rGrantsPass, reg. 97526 Filed Sept. 27, 1965, Ser. No. 490,230 Claims. (Cl.13S-1) This invention relates to portable shelter structures orenclosures and especially intended and adapted as a shooting blind forhunters.

The primary object of the invention is to provide a sportsmans blindwith a novel frame, simple, durable, inexpensive to construct and lightof weight which may be folded into a compact bundle easy to carry, andwhich may be easily and quickly erected and disassembled.

A further object is to provide a shelter for hunters which is completelyenclosed to conceal them from the sight of wild game yet permit thehunters to see out in all directions with ease and without obstructions.

A still further object is to provide a hunting shelter so arranged andconstructed to permit quick opening of the top for unobstructed shootingin any direction.

With the foregoing and other objects and advantages in view which willbecome apparent in the details of construction and operation as thedescription proceeds, the invention consists of certain novel features,arrangements and combination of parts, hereinafter more fully describedand pointed out in the claims, it being understood that changes may bemade in the construction and arrangement of parts without departing fromthe spirit of the invention.

. In the accompanying drawings:

FIGURE 1 is a perspective view showing the hunting blind fully assembledwith the top cover in closed position;

FIGURE 2 is the perspective view of FIG. 1 showing the top cover pulledback to give the hunters unobstructed freedom to shoot;

FIGURE 3 is a perspective view of the framework with the cover removedshowing details of the framework construction and operation of the topopening means;

FIGURE 4 is an enlarged plan view showing a joint of the framework;

FIGURE 5 is an enlarged side elevation View of the joint of FIG. 3;

FIGURE 6 is an enlarged elevation view of a step bar attached to thelower portion of each corner post; and

FIGURES 7 and 8 are enlarged elevation views showing the details ofconstruction and operation of the top releasing mechanism.

Referring more particularly to the drawings, wherein like referencecharacters designate like or corresponding parts throughout the severalviews, 1G designates generally the shelter or enclosure in its entirety,and which includes a wrap around side covering, designated generally 20,a top covering, designated generally 30 and a supporting framework,designated generally 4t).

The wrap around side covering is preferably constructed of a fabricmaterial such as light weight canvas throughout its major area 21, withupper panels 22 across each end and the back constructed of an openweave netting. Such a netting of appropriate mesh popularly known asmosquito netting, when dyed with various brown a-nd green tints in wellknown camouflage patterns has the characteristic of permitting a personinside the enclosure and therefore relatively close to the netting tosee through it with very little reduction of visibility while from adistance it becomes essentially opaque and effectively shields theoccupants of the enclosure from observation. This is particularlyeffective when the entire cover 20 and top 30 are similarly camouliagedso that 3,323,530 Patented June 6, 1967 lCe occupants of the enclosureand their clothing effectively blends into the camouflage pattern. Anaccess opening 23, preferably of the Zipper type is provided in one sidewall at any desirable location. It is shown here by way of illustrationat a front corner of the enclosure and is of the separable type. Whenseparated the cover can be wrapped around the framework or when zipperedit is slipped over from the top. Appropriately spaced tie strings 24secured to the upper edge of the side cover 20 can be tied to theframework to hold the cover in place when weather conditions require,although normally the fit wil-l cause the upper hem of the cover tooverlie the supporting framework and remain in position.

Top cover 30 is also constructed of the same open weave netting as theside panels 22 and is secured as by stitching along one edge 31 to thefront side of the side cover 20. End edge portions 32 are free whilerear edge portion 33 is provided `with a wide hem 34 into which a lightweight stiffener rod 35 is inserted and performs a function to beexplained later. Resilient or elastic cords 36 are attached at one endto tabs 37 secured to the underside of hem 34 and at their opposite endsto snap type fittings 3S which are snapped over the front cross rail 43when the covers are placed on the framework.

The framework 40 is preferably formed of light weight stock material andis not limited as to configuration. Four corner posts 41, their lowerends being adapted to be pressed into the earth by applying pressure onstep bars 42, are spaced apart by the cross rails 43, 44 and 45. Frontrail 43 and back rail 44 are pivotally joined at each end to a cornerpost 41, shown in detail in FIGS. 4 and 5 to form front and rearfoldable frame units. These frame units are then spaced apart and joinedby the removable end cross rails 45.

An interlocking joint is formed between each corner post and itsconnecting cross rails to provide rigidity to the structure betweenthree essentially perpendicular axes. The interlocking features are thesame in each joint but for purposes of description the left front jointis illustrated in enlarged detail in FIGS. 4 and 5 and will be describedspecifically. Cross rail 45 terminates in two angularly disposed maleend portions 46 and 27, either of which may be a continuation of therail and either or both of which may be separate pieces welded lorotherwise iixedly attached to the rail 45. Portion 46 extends downwardlyat such an angle to be in parallel and juxtaposed relationship to cornerpost 41 and portion 47 extends laterally inwardly to be in similarparallel and juxtaposed relationship to cross rail 43. A conformingsleeve socket 43 is secured to post 41 as by welding and receives maleend portion 46 when in assembled relationship. A sleeve socket 49,slidable along rail 43, receives male end portion 47 and locks rail 45in assembled position. Pin 50 pivotally joins post 41 and rail 43.

Normally the top 30 is maintained in a closed position as shown in FIG.l by pulling it over against tension of the elastic cord 36 and placingstiifener rod 35 outwardly of the releasing plates 51 which extend abovethe level of the back cross rail 44 a suicient amount to effectivelyengage the stitener rod 35. As shown in enlarged detail in FIGS. 7 and 8the plate 51 is pivotally attached to the inner side of rail 44 with pin52 located near an edge of the plate such that rotation of the plate 57is in a vertical plane with a substantial projection above the level ofrail 44 to no projection. Resilient or elastic cord 53 is secured at oneend around post 41 and at the other end to plate 51 at point 54 such theelastic core 53 normally holds plate 51 projecting above rail 44 toproperly engage the stiifener rod 35. Trip line 55 loosely extendsbetween the two plates 51 being attached also at point 54. Pulling tripline 55 rotates both plates 51 against the urging of elastic cords 53 toa position of no projection thereby releasing top cover 30 to be rapidlywhipped off the framework 40 by the action of elastic cords 36.

The sports'mans blind of this invention is of a height to permitsufficient head room for occupants in a sitting position on anyappropriate seating devices (not shown). As shown in the preferredembodiment illustrated herein the front corner posts are shorter thanthe rear corner posts thereby giving a forward slant to the top. Thisarrangement provides greater clearance in the direction shooting will bemost likely to occur and also increases the holding ability of thereleasing plates 51. It is to be understood however the principle ofthis invention encompasses a at top blind with all corner posts of equalheight and netting panels 22 extending entirely around the structure atan appropriate height to permit comfortable viewing by the occupants ofthe enclosure.

It is further contemplated that a plurality of covers will be providedeach with differing camouflage designs to match the terrain where theblind is to be set up. In addition improved weather conditioning may beobtained by using a transparent plastic sheeting in conjunction with thenetting or a netting impregnated with an appropriate plastic lm.

Although the invention has been described in detail for a certainspecific use, it will be understood that its use may be extended to anyfield wherein it is desired to provide a light, sturdy, compact, andportable shelter.

What is claimed is:

1. In a portable shelter structure comprising, a frame having uprightcorner posts, cross rails extending between adjacent said posts at thetops thereof, means to interlock said posts and said cross rails in xedrelationship when assembled; a flexible covering having an elongatedportion extending laterally around said framework to define sides andanother portion extending away from said elongated portion to define atop, said top terminating in a free edge having a hem, a stiifener rodin said hem, securing means on the ends of said elongated portion forfastening said ends together and for maintaining said flexible coveringon said framework; releasable hook means on one of said cross rails toengage said stiffener rod and hold said top portion extended across saidframe work, and resilient means between said stitfener rod and saidcross rail opposite said one cross rail to open said top when said hookmeans is tripped.

2. A portable shelter structure in accordance with claim 1 wherein meansto interlock said posts and said cross rails in xed relationship whenassembled, comprises, pivotally joining pairs of corner posts to thecross rail extending therebetween thereby forming two oppositelypositioned foldable frame units, a xed sleeve socket axially alignedwith and affixed adjacent the upper end of each said corner post, aslidable sleeve socket slidable along and adjacent each end of andaxially aligned with said last mentioned cross rails, said foldableframe units spaced apart by said remaining cross rails, said remainingcross rails terminating at each end with two angularly disposed maleends for slidable insertion into said xed and said slidable sleevesockets when assembled, thereby forming an interlock along threeessentially perpendicular axes.

3. A portable shelter structure in accordance with claim l wherein meansto interlock said posts and said cross rails comprises, a foldable pivotpoint between the end portion of two oppositely positioned cross railsand the top portion of their associated corner posts, a xed sleevesocket axially aligned with and aixed adajcent the upper end of eachsaid corner post, a slidable sleeve socket adjacent each end of andaxially aligned with said last mentioned cross rails, said remainingcross rails terminating at each end with two angularly disposed maleends for slidable insertion into said fixed and slidable sleeve sockets,thereby forming an interlock between three essentially perpendicularaxes.

4. A portable shelter structure in accordance with claim l wherein saidreleasable hook means on said one cross rail comprises spaced apartplate members pivotally attached about or center horizontal axes to saidcross rail intermediate the ends thereof, each said plate member beingpivotable in a vertical plane `from a position below the top edge ofsaid rail to a position projecting a substantial portion of said plateabove said rail thereby providing an upwardly extending projection toengage said top stitfener rod and hold said top in extended position,other resilient means normally urging each said plate member to saidupwardly extended position, and interconnected flexible pull meansattached to each said plate member opposing said other resilient means`whereby a manual pull on said interconnected flexible pull means movesall said plate members to said position below the top edge of said onecross rail and releases said top whererby said first resilient meansopens said top.

5. A portable shelter structure in accordance with claim 1 wherein saidtop and an upper portion of said sides of said flexible covering areconstructed of an open weave material thereby permitting an occupant ofsaid shelter to be unseen while looking out through said material.

References Cited UNITED STATES PATENTS 1,856,658 5/1932 Rummler 135--142,660,186 ll/ 1953 Marshall -5 2,841,159 7/1958 Graham 135-4 2,865,38612/1958 Burns 135*l REINALDO P. MACHADO, Primary Examiner.

1. IN A PORTABLE SHELTER STRUCTURE COMPRISING, A FRAME HAVING UPRIGHTCORNER POSTS, CROSS RAILS EXTENDING BETWEEN ADJACENT SAID POSTS AT THETOPS THEREOF, MEANS TO INTERLOCK SAID POSTS AND SAID CROSS RAILS INFIXED RELATIONSHIP WHEN ASSEMBLED; A FLEXIBLE COVERING HAVING ANELONGATED PORTION EXTENDING LATERALLY AROUND SAID FRAMEWORK TO DEFINESIDES AND ANOTHER PORTION EXTENDING AWAY FROM SAID ELONGATED PORTION TODEFINE A TOP, SAID TOP TERMINATING IN A FREE EDGE HAVING A HEM, ASTIFFENER ROD IN SAID HEM, SECURING MEANS ON THE ENDS OF SAID ELONGATEDPORTION FOR FASTENING SAID ENDS TOGETHER AND FOR MAINTAINING SAIDFLEXIBLE COVERING ON SAID FRAMEWORK; RELEASABLE HOOK MEANS ON ONE OFSAID CROSS RAILS TO ENGAGE SAID STIFFENER ROD AND HOLD SAID TOP PORTIONEXTENDED ACROSS SAID FRAME WORK, AND RESILIENT MEANS BETWEEN SAIDSTIFFENER ROD AND SAID CROSS RAIL OPPOSITE SAID ONE CROSS RAIL TO OPENSAID TOP WHEN SAID HOOK MEANS IS TRIPPED.